Web4 Foundation | Planned initiative

A planned foundation for public infrastructure where communities govern–and software proves it follows the rules.

Web4 Foundation is a planned Bridgit DAO initiative. Its organizational structure and funding arrangements are being developed. The proposed mission supports the Overweb vision: a layer above today's Web where:

People set norms on Gov Hub; requirements are enforced in code, not only in policy.
Privacy, speech, and participation are designed in–not bolted on after the fact.
New apps start in a sandbox, then grow with votes and checks at each stage.
AI assists inside the same rules; it is not the only gate into community.

The Overweb is stewarded by Bridgit DAO and contributors across related projects. Governance lives on Gov Hub. Builders use Overweb Studio (in development) to configure layers and pass requirement checks. Communities may immortalize what they choose on Bitcoin through BRC333 Studio. Read the full story at theoverweb.org.

On the Overweb, you have the right to Privacy Transparency Data Sovereignty Context Safety Expression Cognitive Freedom Security Free Speech Presence

The Overweb is the governed layer above the webpage. Proposed areas of work include:

Turn community values into testable requirements (ML-REQ) on Gov Hub.
Record how software enforces them (ML-ADR) in repos and automated checks.
Run new layers and apps in sandbox before wider rollout.
Keep humans and AI in shared, contextual space–not locked behind one chat box.

Explore the Overweb

Canopi adds discussion, tags, and presence on real URLs. BRC333 Studio preserves badges, books, and attestations on chain when a community chooses.

Proposed areas of support

The planned Web4 Foundation aims to support public infrastructure. Proposed areas include:

Governed layer – layers, bridges, sandbox, and Overweb Studio development.
Gov Hub – drafts, ML-REQ and ML-ADR artifacts, voting, and workgroups.
Open collaboration – tools and integrations that support public-interest participation.
Deepi – Desirable Properties, requirement drafting, and community tooling.
Estate operations – hosting, security, and the path from sandbox to production.

Public narrative and technical vision: theoverweb.org.

Try it: Canopi on the live Web

Canopi is a separate, for-profit project initiated by Daveed Benjamin as a project of Bridgit DAO. Its technology supports selected Meta-Layer Initiative activities, including embedded discussion and collaboration. Its use here does not establish Foundation ownership or a funding commitment to Canopi.

On supported sites, click Go Meta in the lower-right corner to open Canopi: contextual discussion and presence above the page, where people and agents can meet without leaving the URL you are already on.

Click Go Meta in the lower-right corner to activate Canopi

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About the Web4 Foundation

The planned Web4 Foundation is another forthcoming Bridgit DAO initiative. Its organizational structure and funding arrangements are being developed. Its proposed mission is to support public infrastructure for collective action above the Web. The Meta-Layer Initiative was initiated by Daveed Benjamin as a project of Bridgit DAO to advance awareness, education, and collaboration around the layered Web. Desirable Properties is a program of the initiative. Metaweb Academy is also an MLI program. Interface Governance Hub supports open governance across the initiative and related communities. Canopi is a separate, for-profit project initiated by Daveed Benjamin as a project of Bridgit DAO. Its technology supports selected Meta-Layer Initiative activities, including embedded discussion and collaboration.

The proposed mission includes:

Support public governance, educational programs, and community collaboration tools.
Develop Overweb Studio and the governed layer builders depend on.
Document and enforce Overweb rights as testable requirements–not slogans.

These projects share origins and collaborate, while their leadership, funding arrangements, and participation terms are defined separately.

Why fund this now

Platforms optimize for engagement. The Overweb optimizes for community agency: portable identity, transparent AI use, sandboxed experiments, and governance that survives beyond any one vendor. The planned Web4 Foundation aims to help individuals and organizations support that public layer as its structure and funding arrangements are developed.

Read the Overweb vision

Express interest

Register your interest in supporting public infrastructure for community-centric computing. This form is an expression of interest while the Foundation’s structure and funding arrangements are being developed; it does not collect a payment or establish an investment.

Leave your details below. We will email you to confirm and send updates on milestones and early access when relevant. Developers, researchers, artists, and stewards are all welcome.